Insights: Using Lean for Fast-Track Project Success

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By Matt Nicholson Any successful project starts with a good plan. In construction, as the projects we work on become increasingly complex, the necessity of detailed planning has never been more evident. It’s important to live by the principles of Lean construction — meaning looking for ways to maximize value and minimize waste in every stage of the building process. The older methods of construction design result in an inherent amount of waste, so it’s crucial for contractors to stay ahead of the curve and constantly look for ways to be more efficient in the way they work. In Turner … Read more

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Wofford College Environmental Studies Building Earns 3 Green Globes

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The Chandler Center for Environmental Studies at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, recently achieved Three Green Globes in the Green Globes Certification program. The project team included construction firm Robins & Morton and architect McMillan Pazdan Smith. Green Globes is a rating assessment and building certification program that helps new construction projects, as well as existing buildings, meet sustainable design and operational goals. Its rating system recognizes projects on a scale of one to four Globes, based on a percentage of total points. This project achieved 72.1%, achieving three Globes and, by definition, “demonstrating leadership in applying the best … Read more

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Open-Air St. Andrew by the Sea Catholic Church Restorations Return Building to Original Glory

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St. Andrew by the Sea Catholic Church in North Padre Island, Texas is an open-air, concrete pavilion designed in 1973 to resemble the ancient Greek temples that once dotted the Mediterranean shoreline almost 2,000 years ago. One of the only open-air parishes in the world to celebrate mass year-round, the 6,100-square-foot seaside church was deteriorating from decades of exposure to one of the most corrosive environments in the U.S. The Diocese of Corpus Christi contacted Western Specialty Contractors to restore the church to its original beauty and integrity, and to protect and extend its service life. The church had numerous … Read more

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UC San Diego Campus New ‘Front Door’ Supports Historic Enrollment Growth

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With the addition of two light rail transit stations coming to the UC San Diego, La Jolla, California campus, a new grand entrance to the campus is underway. BNBuilders is making major strides in building a new “front door,” featuring the $41-million Design and Innovation Building and the $50-million Pepper Canyon Amphitheater and Public Realm project. The Design and Innovation Building, the first building visitors will see upon entering the campus, topped out in June; while the Pepper Canyon Amphitheater and Public Realm project, which will create a lively campus gathering space and an overall flow to the re-imagined area, … Read more

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Coronavirus Causes Project Delays + Cancellations, Demand for Skilled Labor High, Says AGC

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The coronavirus has harmed the construction industry, prompting project delays and cancellations, layoffs and furloughs. However, it remains difficult for a majority of firms to find craftworkers to hire, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk. The survey paints a picture of an industry in need of immediate recovery measures and longer-term workforce development support, association officials added. “Few firms have survived unscathed from the pandemic amid widespread project delays and cancellations,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Ironically, even as the pandemic undermines demand for construction services, … Read more

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